Published: Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at 11:54 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at 11:54 a.m.

OCALA – Ever since the Florida Institute for Human & Machine Cognition opened in 2010 in the former library building downtown, many people have wondered what goes on inside.

Facts

To learn more

For more information about the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition, including a free public lecture series, visit http://www.ihmc.us/

What kinds of technology is being developed?

Are robots being built there?

While the main Pensacola office of IHMC is involved in technology research such as developing exoskeletons to allow the wearer to lift great weights or swim super distances, as well as a "walking" system for a humanoid robot with jointed arms and hands intended for extended space journeys, the work being done is Ocala is more down to Earth.

Resident researcher Yorick Wilks, for example, is developing companion technology using an artificial agent or avatar to "appear like a human; maybe look like, but certainly talk as if it thinks and understands things."

"Artificial intelligence is the science and engineering of getting a machine to model things that only humans can do: read, write, play chess," Wilks said.

Wilks currently is involved with a program called Wigdog, which is a cyber companion that looks like a miniature Chihuahua wearing a hairpiece.

The project has a goal of making personal and business dialogue between people and computer-generated "artificial agents" something like chatting across the backyard fence with a neighbor.

In the home computer setting, the "agent" may scan pictures supplied by the operator and build up a frame of reference.

The agent also may be able to make Internet searches and respond to the operator's questions with supplemental and new information.

Wilks envisions an enhancement of "people-friendly" computer interaction to a level where a pocket-sized device might become a personalized organizer, a companion for those who are homebound, a medication reminder and a life history documenter.

"I'm talking with a major cancer research institute here in Florida about a Wigdog-type agent that could take a patient's history down over a period of time," Wilks said.

He said he sees applications from a car driver warning system where the agent is tuned into road conditions and driver reactions, to a personal attendant that would give reminders for medications and appointments.

Researcher Roberta Capizone, who has worked on the Wigdog system, sees a bright future for the program.

Although loading the "world's knowledge" into the systems presents a "bottleneck," Capizone, who lives in England, said she sees "limited use of the systems within 10 years."

Wilks, who recently joined IHMC, is a former researcher and professor at the University of Sheffield and Oxford Internet Institute.

He has authored nine books on artificial intelligence, including "Close Encounters with Artificial Companions," and was awarded the Lovelace Medal by the British Computer Society in 2009.

"We are developing artificial intelligence applications for the kitchen, health and family histories, and advising patients on the risk and consequences of medical procedures," he said, explaining the work of IHMC in Ocala and elsewhere.

As his works continues in the company's facility downtown, Wilks maintains his sense of humor, saying with a wide grin: "There's a mad scientist at work right here in Ocala."

<p>OCALA – Ever since the Florida Institute for Human & Machine Cognition opened in 2010 in the former library building downtown, many people have wondered what goes on inside.</p><p>What kinds of technology is being developed?</p><p>Are robots being built there?</p><p>While the main Pensacola office of IHMC is involved in technology research such as developing exoskeletons to allow the wearer to lift great weights or swim super distances, as well as a "walking" system for a humanoid robot with jointed arms and hands intended for extended space journeys, the work being done is Ocala is more down to Earth.</p><p>Resident researcher Yorick Wilks, for example, is developing companion technology using an artificial agent or avatar to "appear like a human; maybe look like, but certainly talk as if it thinks and understands things."</p><p>"Artificial intelligence is the science and engineering of getting a machine to model things that only humans can do: read, write, play chess," Wilks said.</p><p>Wilks currently is involved with a program called Wigdog, which is a cyber companion that looks like a miniature Chihuahua wearing a hairpiece.</p><p>The project has a goal of making personal and business dialogue between people and computer-generated "artificial agents" something like chatting across the backyard fence with a neighbor.</p><p>In the home computer setting, the "agent" may scan pictures supplied by the operator and build up a frame of reference.</p><p>The agent also may be able to make Internet searches and respond to the operator's questions with supplemental and new information.</p><p>Wilks envisions an enhancement of "people-friendly" computer interaction to a level where a pocket-sized device might become a personalized organizer, a companion for those who are homebound, a medication reminder and a life history documenter.</p><p>"I'm talking with a major cancer research institute here in Florida about a Wigdog-type agent that could take a patient's history down over a period of time," Wilks said.</p><p>He said he sees applications from a car driver warning system where the agent is tuned into road conditions and driver reactions, to a personal attendant that would give reminders for medications and appointments.</p><p>Researcher Roberta Capizone, who has worked on the Wigdog system, sees a bright future for the program.</p><p>Although loading the "world's knowledge" into the systems presents a "bottleneck," Capizone, who lives in England, said she sees "limited use of the systems within 10 years."</p><p>Wilks, who recently joined IHMC, is a former researcher and professor at the University of Sheffield and Oxford Internet Institute.</p><p>He has authored nine books on artificial intelligence, including "Close Encounters with Artificial Companions," and was awarded the Lovelace Medal by the British Computer Society in 2009.</p><p>"We are developing artificial intelligence applications for the kitchen, health and family histories, and advising patients on the risk and consequences of medical procedures," he said, explaining the work of IHMC in Ocala and elsewhere.</p><p>As his works continues in the company's facility downtown, Wilks maintains his sense of humor, saying with a wide grin: "There's a mad scientist at work right here in Ocala."</p>